The dates for this year's Sturgis Citywide Garage/Yard Sales Event has been set for the weekend of June 7 & 8.

After last year's event was deemed a success, participants preferred it be moved up to an earlier date as a way to kick-start the summer sale-ing season in and around the Sturgis area.

The community interest in this endeavor was huge. Sales were set up all over the town, inviting folks to visit from one end of town to the other. So much so, that a one day didn't seem like enough.

The suggestions offered up by sale-goers and those who set up their own were all taken into consideration for future reference. The event this year reflected an earlier date, as well as, making it a two-day affair. The Chamber of Commerce decided on this year's date to adhere to the public's wishes for an earlier date for the event.

Once again those wanting to be included in an online list of sales may contact the Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce at 651-5758. For a small fee you may register your garage/yard sale via their web site www.sturgisareacalendar.com. It's not mandatory to register your sale as all residents are welcome to have one. Persons can then visit the site and print off a list of sales to visit.

Whether you have a sale of your own or enjoy attending others, it's a fun time. I thoroughly enjoyed having a sale last year as I got to see so many familiar faces and meet some new friends. We also got rid of a lot of things we no longer needed.

I was even touched at two old high school classmates that haven't seen each other since they graduated in 1968 discovered each other again in my driveway. How cool that was to see them laugh and talk about the memories.

The benefits to the community were great. The Citywide Garage/Yard Sale Event brought many people to town who, in turn, spent money at gas stations, stores, restaurants, and more importantly, the sales. The even also gave residents a chance to earn some extra money and perhaps free up some cluttered space. People were also able to find great bargains and sometimes some hidden treasures.

Above all that - I was more in awe of it's ability to bring people together as they walked through the neighborhoods or planned a sale together. It reminded me of olden times.

Did you have a sale last year or were you able to check out many of the sales around town? Let's talk about it.......